Things to Consider When Moving

There’s no doubt that moving day (and the weeks leading up to it) are extremely busy. Thank goodness for resources like U-Pack’s Moving Checklist, Moving Timeline, Moving To-Do List, and tons of other moving tips and moving advice, that were designed to make the whole process a little more manageable. Here are just a few other things to consider when you’re planning a move:

Have you decided how much of the work you’re willing to do on your own?
I’m sure you know by now that you can save significantly just by doing some of the work on your own (i.e. a U-Pack move). DIY has become such a phenomenon (think Pinterest); people LOVE saving money by doing things themselves. So, is the savings worth it, or would you rather pay more to have someone do it all? I’m in the save money camp.

(Here’s where I’ll put in a little plug for U-Pack and tell you that if you’re moving long distance, the price is similar to truck rental – but U-Pack does the driving. Getting a moving quote is quick, easy and free. You can do it all online, so no one has to come to your home.)

Have you calculated all of the potential moving costs?
You already know how important it is to budget for your move. Just don’t forget to ask about potential “extra” charges. No one like surprises (this kind, at least). If you need help, use the chart in this previous post to calculate and compare moving costs.

Are you flexible?
While the ability to do a round-off and the splits are extremely impressive (especially after watching the Olympics), I’m actually more concerned about whether your move day is flexible. If it is, you can typically save money by selecting an “off-peak” day. When you call U-Pack, ask about the cheapest days to move in your date range. Normally it will be Tuesday and/or Wednesday at the beginning of the month.

Can you let things go?
I’m referring to all of those things you don’t use (or wear) anymore. You know, the 20 half-used bottles of lotion, the 12 pairs of shoes you haven’t worn since 2009, the stacks and stacks of t-shirts you’ve held onto since your high school and college days, the magazines you keep stacking in piles around your house, the ride-on toys your kids haven’t played with in over six months (not that you’ll find anything like that in my house... just a guess). Keep in mind that with U-Pack, you only pay for the space you use. So if you can bear to let go of some of the things you no longer use (or need), you’ll see a price drop – sometimes significantly. Just remember to get a tax receipt if you decide to donate.

Have you returned everything you’ve borrowed and retrieved everything you’ve loaned out?
I really, really, really dislike paying fines and late fees – it just seems like such a waste of money. Can you imagine the resulting late fee if you discover three months later that you forgot to return the kids’ library books? Or the disappointment you’d feel when you realized that you left your three favorite shirts at the Dry Cleaner – 800 miles away? Not cool. Start making a list of things now.

Have you told all the right people (and places) that you’re moving?
You can send a fun e-card to your friends and family, and complete a Change of Address form with the U.S. Postal service, but don’t forget to call all of the necessary businesses to actually change your address – the U.S. Postal Service change of address simply forwards your mail for a certain period of time. U-Pack’s Moving Checklist includes a comprehensive list of the businesses/services you’ll want to contact.

Of course, there is a lot more to consider when you’re moving, but this (along with checklists and other moving tips and advice) should get you moving in the right direction. More questions about moving? Need an instant moving quote from U-Pack? Leave a comment below or call us at 800-413-4799. We’ll be happy to help.